Georgia's Gov. Brian Kemp has already signed a bill that would make performing an abortion illegal once a heartbeat is detected. That new law is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.

Two other states – Ohio and Mississippi – have passed similar legislation. The bills are expected to face litigation.

Here are similarities and differences between the Georgia law and the proposed Alabama law:

When can you get an abortion?

Current state law in both states outlaws abortion after 20 weeks unless the woman's health is at risk. Georgia's newly signed law would change the time period to six weeksof pregnancy, a time period in which many critics say many women aren't yet aware of their pregnancy.

Alabama lawmakers in the House and Senate have sent a bill to Gov. Kay Ivey's desk that would ban nearly all abortions in the state at any stage of the pregnancy unless the mother’s physical or mental health is in jeopardy.

What about in cases of rape or incest?

The law Kemp signed in May does include an exception in cases of rape and incest. As the law is written, it requires that the pregnancy is at 20 weeks or less and an official police report must be filed alleging the rape and/or incest.

If abortions are a crime, what is the penalty? Who is liable?

Currently, breaking abortion law in Georgia can be punished with imprisonment "for not less than one nor more than 10 years." The newly signed bill gives no indication as to who would be charged with penalties and what, if any, those penalties would be.

Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow, a protester of Alabama's near-total abortion ban bill, is dressed as a handmaid while waiting outside of the Alabama statehouse after HB 314, passed the state Senate in Montgomery, Alabama, on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.(Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

Some have speculated that since the bill recognizes unborn children as "natural persons," that women who choose abortion or miscarry or the medical professionals who help them, would face murder charges, but the term has been used routinely in the previous criminal code, which the measure does not repeal.

Alabama's bill would punish a doctor or abortion provider who performs a procedure with a Class A felony – punishable by life or 10 to 99 years in prison. Attempting to perform an abortion would be a Class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison. The woman seeking an abortion would not face charges under the bill.

"The heart of this bill is to confront a decision that was made by the courts in 1973 that said the baby in the womb is not a person," Collins said. "This bill addresses that one issue. Is that baby in the womb a person? I believe our law says it is. I believe our people say it is. And I believe technology shows it is."

Nate Chute is a producer with the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter: @nchute

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Lucia Hermo, with megaphone, leads chants during a rally against HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, outside of the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen Clyde Chambliss speaks as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen Rodger Smitherman speaks as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Vivian Figures speaks as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Bobby Singleton speaks as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Del Marsh, left, and Sen. Clyde Chambliss chat as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, right, talks with Sen. Greg Reed during debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Bobby Singleton speaks as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Rep. Terri Collins, right, chats with Rep. Chris Pringle on the house floor at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Rep. Collins is the sponsor of HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Rep. Terri Collins, right, chats with Rep. Alan Baker on the house floor at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Rep. Collins is the sponsor of HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth looks on as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Del Marsh during debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth greets Senators during debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Laura Stiller hands out coat hangers as she talks about illegal abortions during a rally against HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, outside of the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Clyde Chambliss speaks as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Sen. Cam Ward looks on during debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, right, chats with Sen. Larry Stutts as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Republican Senators group together as debate on HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, is held in the senate chamber in the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Margeaux Hartline, dressed as a handmaid, during a rally against HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, outside of the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser

Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow chants during a rally against HB314, the near-total ban on abortion bill, outside of the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday May 14, 2019. Mickey Welsh / Advertiser